The Uplift Protocol: Hidden Legacies Issue 24

 

Issue 24: The Lying House

 

            This is C.A.P CIC: Redirect all ships away from Typha Home Sector. Notify The Spear and Sword Fleets. Standby for Immenant Invasion. Assume Non-Aligned Houses are Compromised. This is not a drill. Threat Analysis Snowstorm in Effect.—Internal Security Advisement to Union Forces.

            Send the signal. The Artock will distract the Typherian Home Sector Fleet. The rest of the Union forces will prove impotent. It's all just a smokescreen anyway. Just look how those sheep flee in the face over the All-Father’s might. That Banner girl is hot air. The most powerful demi? Laughable. –The All-Mother

            I did shock the All-Father in one important way. My healing factor. It was naturally high. Against most things, I’m pretty invulnerable but the Urraden House was known for its Matter Manipulation specialty before the schism. Which was why Dexter was vital. He had my nodes along with his merged into one system. Which let him go toe to toe with the All-Father. I was there to take the brunt. If I hadn’t, he would have taken anyone he liked, merged them into whatever tool he desired. He thought I was pathetic. I was just the smokescreen. Besides, he wasn’t the mirror I had to face anyway. That was for Dexter. What would one do with such powers as Matter manipulation? Most House Typherians had a bit of it. Bending metals or other artificial material. But Organic? That was the purview of Urraden.—Sleeping in Starlight, a memoir of the 22^nd century

Galactic Disk

Ikeri Sector (Andromeda Galaxy)

In Route to Typha

 

Dexter moved past countless stars.

The cosmos a fleeting image.

            They had prepared. It still stung. Knowing that his sister was serving as a punching bag. Downplaying her abilities. All so they could get a complete profile. The linchpin into unlocking Tarkanan. It was never a signal. Nor a ship or even a specialized FTL route. When Aether had told him this he had snapped, “Yet we will endanger my sister to gain this emotional cipher?!”

The J’kua glared, “Yes. Because the Weave demands it. The All-Father is the broken mirror of your sister’s true adversary.”

Dexter sucked in a breath, “Thoth. But he is not of Edenverse. The UEF branch wants him.”

Aether responded, “No. He is not. He is from an older age. Not the man as he is now, the bloodline, carried from the first seeds of Typha. The origin point of that race. His line was the initial contact point for Set.”

Patient Zero in the blossoming heart of darkness. Black unfurled from his belt containment, his three golden eyes aimed at Aether, massive paws flexing. Black demanded harshly, “You know this forbidden knowledge. How Atoner? My patience is not absolute.”

The J’kua’s milky white head cocked to the side. His black and grey orbs considering his next words with care. “The Silver that Will Be.” Black paused in his slow advance towards the J’kua.

Dexter arched an eyebrow, “Great! Cryptic tea leaves. Gotta hand it to Eliza, she’s more used to that.”

Black bared his fangs, “Typha existed within the Rykah Universe?”

Aether replied, “For only a fraction of a moment. Yet their dark shamans managed to get a colony of survivors into another plane. Another universe.”

Dexter groused, “United Earth Front.” He wasn’t angry. Just painfully aware of how little they knew about their enemy's origins. He’d consult Matarn about matters later. The old Scholar often gave away good insight when one least suspected it.

Another thought dragged its way to the surface of his troubled mind: A fallen line for a fallen god. The perfect vessel for Unity’s will.

The only thing going for them, Thoth never decided to seed children, always too driven to destroy humanity. Dexter asked, “Did Eliza Odessen know any of this?”

Aether had the good grace to bow his head, “No. I never told her. She has enough on her plate.”

Dexter brought his thoughts to the present.

The All-Father’s heartbeat was a steady metronome. His sister's rapid beats hummed against his eardrums. Her mind connected to his, >>I still need Terror.<< The purple hue of Typha’s profile entered his sight. The triple moons circling the planet his destination. His sister wasn’t even in her demi uniform. Just the standard colors of House Ayeer. He waited a moment longer. Bringing his fist cracking down onto the top of the All-Father’s head as he came barreling in. The matter casing around his foe’s head disappearing in a haze of broken shards.

<<Mind if I tap in?!>>

Those crimson orbs widened. The smug smirk disappearing under the onslaught of the demi known as Dawnbreaker. His uniform showcasing the bright binary Suns of Typha. Urraden's true golden gaze manifested. The All-Father snarled, "WELP! Your Blood is Unclean! I shall remedy that!"

 

*****

           

Every part of my body was on fire.

Yet I kept up with the barrage. There were cracks within the All-Father’s matter armor. He was able to use everything within his environment to construct shielding against my blows. I could see bits of exposed skin for a precious instant before the material covered it up.

He barked, “A woman of your caliber? Ha! You can’t even master what most House toddlers can do with matter!”  A kernel of fear wormed its way into his aura. Not that he’d admit that. My muscles bunched as I soaked in another kick to my sternum. I resisted using my Dreaming flow training. That would have helped me get past a few barriers. But I wanted him ignorant of that ability. Dexter's incoming haymaker had the desired effect. Urraden forgot my existence. Using the foul magics of Dark Shaman's to keep himself stable within the vacuum of space. Dexter ordered, >>Help the fleet!<<

A pinprick of light bloomed within the Dweller Gates. Countless Artock raiding vessels materialized. Fanning out to ransack the system. I gathered the remaining emotional outbursts from the All-Father and flew off. The last wave of confusion turned to sudden realization as he attempted to prevent me from helping the Typherian fleet. Dexter’s left hook dissuaded Urraden of that notion. The image of All-Father’s puffy split lips bringing a smile to my face. I’d heal but I’d be sore for a while.

I needed to follow mom’s advice though. Try to dodge more. The Polaris-grade energy batteries trained on the crystalline moon structures below made me disregard that advice. Using my body once more to intercept trouble. I knew they had energy shields but the less stress placed on them could let the defenders concentrate on boarding parties.

I brought the coms net online, <<Prepare for drop ships. I'll handle the capital vessels. Keep the civilian population safe!>>

            A few Bardaxian Scout ships shimmered near me. I could perceive them because they were using dark matter cloaking. Eager barks responded to my commands, <<Hidden friends in the system!>>

            I shot forward. An arrow splitting the main bow of the lead Artock vessel. I had to prevent them from landing more drop pods. Shards of metal bounced off my chest as I pulled the main engines from the bulk of the hull. Then I sprang off the inert surface. Another target filling my sight line. The cloaked Bardaxians followed. For recon purposes. My enhanced hearing picking up faint signals.

House of Healing

Typha (Ground Level)

 

            V’alkor handed C’lain’s blade to Jace, “Take this. Give me yours. I want you to follow Arthur. Got it?” Tobin and Jace frowned, in near unison, “We will fight with you!” V’alkor appreciated the sentiment but waved them both towards Arthur. “You must protect this blade above all else.” Tobin nodded glumly.

            “I don’t like it but we will do it.”

            Jace crossed his arms, “But that means Karvax….”

            A black and gold shimmer flashed into the room.

            Golden Bulleteer grinned, “He won’t be alone. Besides Karvax has made this personal. Get going, boys!”

            The building shook. Bulleteer sensed the familiar bite of the giant demi’s sword against the doorway of the Healing House. Arthur saluted both men with Excalibur. “By your will. I will protect them both.”

*****

            Karvax howled, “This door will not hold!” His blade had been enhanced in the fires of Tarkanan. He aimed one massive leg at the doorway. It caved in with a rain of splinters. For all their tech, these Typherians had used a basic wooden door?! The snap-hiss of a failing energy field greeted him. The giant man muscled his way through. Dragging his blade along the floor. Marking it. He smirked. Yes, it was childish but he was giddy.

The blood in his veins ignited for the battle ahead.

As he strode forward he beheld his enemies.

“Ahh good. I was hoping for a rematch.”

He charged. Blade at the ready.

Nearly beheading the older Typherian. 

 

Based on the armor, it was V’alkor. His gunmetal gray ligaments protecting vulnerable stops. The customary blue, black, and crimson of the royal garb. His notable silver helm on display. With his other hand, Karvax grabbed for the metallic spheres hurled at his face. They hissed and released pollen that caused him to cartwheel backward. The White Lily’s work. His exposed skin broke out in hives. He snarled, aiming a cross slash towards V’alkor’s torso.

*****

            Dawnbreaker captured Urraden in a chokehold. The other man pushed with his matter manipulation. Intending on breaking free without much trouble. The attempt rebounded and Dexter wrapped the remnants of Artock hulls around them both. To cut the All-Father off from the rest of the battle. Crimson eyes blazed. “Who are you? “

            The master of the Zygotic Expanse hadn’t expected someone of Dawnbreaker’s powerset.

            Damn, the humans had planted false information about that demi. Knowing Set’s sleepers would eat it up. Why hadn’t his wife told him of this?!

            Dexter replied, “Dawnbreaker. Typha’s demi of note.” He moved. Quicker than the All-Father could follow. Pain exploded within Urraden’s sternum. “That was for Star.” He followed up with a punch to the face. “That was for my planet.” A final kick to the ribs made Urraden careen into the metallic walls around them. Through blurred vision, Urranden’s blows met rock-solid flesh. The boy was turning the All-Father’s powers back in on him. Ludicrous! His thoughts became disjointed. The All-Mother had been holding back information. He froze. A conflagration of cosmic fire hit his dark shaman shielding.

No, someone wanted him to mistrust the All-Mother.

            He sent the biological trigger to his current husk.

            Let the half-breed cur have this victory.

He would take out half the lunar colonies with this trick. None had lived to witness it 50 years earlier. The threat to the Zygotic Expanse was paramount. He would reclaim Typha later. After he dealt with Set.

The worm who would crown himself king.

Dexter hesitated as he saw Urraden slump over.

Then the spatial disturbance thrummed.

Dexter winced as it pushed down on his senses. Blood burst from his nose.

Dawnbreaker molded all the crushed metallic matter he could around the vacant doll. Seeing the black scrawl manifest across the exposed arms. That strange gray battle robe of his coiling around the remaining flesh. Black shouted, >>There’s no time. Throw him into the Abyss!<<

Black seethed. But what could one expect from an Urraden?

Dexter didn’t argue. With Black’s help, he phased the makeshift cacoon into the Corrupted Weave around Typha. This would invigorate the Dragons roosting here. Charging them with Unity’s energy but would save the moons of Typha. Along with the various Commons, Odessens and Ayeers manning those moon pitted surfaces. To the Union recorders, it appeared that Dawnbreaker pulled the mass well outside Typha’s home solar system. But the Light Shamans of Earth knew the truth of the matter. It would make it harder to rescue Typha but planets could be rebuilt. People and souls were irreplaceable. More saved meant a brighter tomorrow.

*****

            Tobin activated the escape hatch. Pushing his brother through. Using his ice barrier to give them some time. The clash of weapons echoed. Arthur faced X’mil. Giving the boys time to get to the evac point. Tobin knew what would happen next. The Weave had indicated as much. To stop the enemy from gaining the sword, thus the true access point to the Throne, he would have to follow Arthur into the lion’s den.

Tobin placed the coin-sized teleporter on his brother’s shoulder, hiding it. He knew the enemy wanted to draw his mother out. To become the very control chip of genetic monstrosities. But she would not come alone. Jace screamed, “NO!”

Tobin smiled sadly, “It was always you brother.” The shadowed form of Pandora growled. “An empty action---“

She screeched as Jace disappeared in a flash of blue light.

Fire sparked along the young hybrid’s arms and hands. “Let’s dance ugly!”

*****

Jace found himself getting bear-hugged by his mother. His sister’s face pale. Dreading his answer. The familiar sights of the old Murphy house a comfort. J’ino’s gaze was drawn to the sword. It said, <<Forgive me Lady Ayeer. But the enemy….>> The sword’s real name was Tyre. The first Light Shaman of the Markav Collective. His brother and sister weapons of the Weave imbued with the souls of its greatest protectors. His guilt radiated outward.

<<We must save Arthur and Tobin from the nest of Pandora.>>

Gwen whimpered, “My fault.”

Jace couldn’t disagree. They had to keep the entities of Unity off balance.

Moments later, Excalibur clattered to the floor. Appearing in a smattering of blue radiance. His voice pure anguish, <<They have taken them.>>

J’ino swayed. “Where?” As she scooped up Excalibur.

The longsword replied, <<The Glass Overlook.>>

J’ino paced about the room. Her mind calculating the odds.  

Jace demanded, “Where is that?”

Excalibur’s voice grew distant, <<Within the Corruption. The Lost Sectors. The abandoned first home of the Litari.>> His point of origin.

<<In days long past I was the greatest Litari warrior of my age. E’tarlass, the first of the Omegas. Granted the blessed 3^rd sight of the Weave. Much like Professor Nara.>>

House of Healing

Typha (Ground Level)

           

Golden Bulleteer aimed a kick at Karvax’s spine.

Noting the odd growths along the neanderthal's spine.

V’alkor stumbled. Using the waters of the former Naming House to close his wounds.

Ur-Eliza had informed him of this moment. As the battle progressed he had fashioned an ancient circle upon the stonework of the building. Using Bullet’s skills to guide Karvax back to the center. V’alkor shouted, “By the Wall and all that Endures, you are banished from this realm Usurper!” The entire building rumbled with old magic. Karvax bellowed, “DIE OLD MAN!” He raised his blade, aiming for the killing stroke. It never connected.

*****

Karvax whirled.

Above him 3 suns burned. His sword buried up to the hilt with liquid magma. He pulled the blade from the heated pool of death and sprinted away. Cursing with every furious stride. A part of his mind was relieved. The symbiote within him had burned through what healing it could provide. His open wounds stung.

As the ash cleared, he found himself on the edge of an island chain. Brackish water lapping upon the shore. “Well, this is disappointing.”

*****

            Arthur awoke to Tobin patting his face. They were in a dark hold. The metallic walls vibrating slightly. Wasn’t a capital ship. Scout more than likely. He winced as the boy rapped more medi-wraps around his ribs. Arthur grunted, “Surprised she wants us alive.” Tobin glanced away. His cheeks heated, “She wants to keep me alive. They want mom. It's always been about mom. You’re alive to keep me in line.” Arthur prayed his friends had succeeded in repelling the Artock, All-Father and the rest. Guenevere had said darker days would be ahead. As long as the light held, the dark would never win. He would add to that bright spark until the end of his days. How to warn Tobin. The lad was still young.

            His Intez echoed these thoughts, >>Excalibur got away. We will not give them the Weave’s weapons!<<

            Tobin twitched, his eyes widening, “I…”

            The Intez within remarked, <<If you hear me young master, remain silent, the walls have eyes.>>

            Tobin clamped his mouth shut.

*****

            Pandora watched from the piloting seat.

            “Yes boy. We want your deliciously viable mother.” She cackled.

            The Litari was tempted to mock Sister Nyx but thought better of it. She didn’t want that kind of crazy on top of everything else. She set course for home. It was time to set up for the best kind of dance. Filled with the shouts of the dying. She hoped all the right guests would sign up. It would be a good feather in her cap if she managed to bag the Banner and that Dawnstar fellow. She’d make sure to give all of them the proper welcome.

 

Issue 23: Here

Issue 25: Here